US9126524B2 - Pedestrian alert system for a motor vehicle - Google Patents
Pedestrian alert system for a motor vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US9126524B2 US9126524B2 US13/793,192 US201313793192A US9126524B2 US 9126524 B2 US9126524 B2 US 9126524B2 US 201313793192 A US201313793192 A US 201313793192A US 9126524 B2 US9126524 B2 US 9126524B2
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- noise
- acoustic output
- output surface
- alert system
- motor vehicle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related, expires
Links
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q5/00—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q5/00—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
- B60Q5/005—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices automatically actuated
- B60Q5/008—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices automatically actuated for signaling silent vehicles, e.g. for warning that a hybrid or electric vehicle is approaching
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
- G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
Definitions
- the subject invention relates to the art of motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a pedestrian alert system for a motor vehicle.
- a pedestrian alert system that, not only guides sound to outside portions of the vehicle to provide pedestrians with an indication that a vehicle is present, but also reduces undesirable noise that may impinge on a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
- a pedestrian alert system includes, a noise producing member having a primary acoustic output surface configured and disposed to direct noise from the noise producing member along a first axis, and at least one secondary acoustic output surface that allows noise to pass from the noise producing member along a second axis that is distinct from the first axis.
- An acoustic focusing member is provided about the noise producing member. The acoustic focusing member is configured and disposed to re-direct noise from the second axis toward the first axis.
- a motor vehicle in accordance with another exemplary embodiment, includes a body having a plurality of body panels, and a pedestrian alert system provided on at least one of the plurality of body panels.
- the pedestrian alert system includes a noise producing member having a primary acoustic output surface configured and disposed to direct noise from the noise producing member along a first axis, and at least one secondary acoustic output surface that allows noise to pass from the noise producing member along a second axis that is distinct from the first axis.
- An acoustic focusing member is provided about the noise producing member. The acoustic focusing member is configured and disposed to re-direct noise from the second axis toward the first axis.
- FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle including a pedestrian alert system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pedestrian alert system provided on a body panel of the motor vehicle of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a partially dissembled view of the pedestrian alert system of FIG. 2 .
- Motor vehicle 2 may include any motor vehicle that may benefit from the system disclosed, and in one embodiment, takes the form of a hybrid vehicle. However, it should be understood that motor vehicle can also take the form of an electric vehicle.
- Motor vehicle 2 includes a plurality of body panels 4 .
- Body panels 4 include exterior or outer body panels 6 that define an overall shape of motor vehicle 2 , and interior panels that include underbody or aero panels, one of which is indicated at 10 .
- Aero panel 10 closes off sections of motor vehicle 2 to improve an overall aerodynamic profile. Outer body panels 6 also contribute to the overall aerodynamic profile of motor vehicle 2 .
- Aero panel 10 includes an acoustic output zone 15 ( FIG.
- motor vehicle 2 includes a pedestrian alert system 20 .
- Pedestrian alert system 20 provides a constant acoustic output that provides an audible warning of the presence of motor vehicle 2 lacking other acoustic output such as that provided by an internal combustion engine. The audible warning provides an alert to pedestrians that may be visually impaired or distracted.
- pedestrian alert system 20 is mounted to aero panel 10 at acoustic output zone 15 .
- Pedestrian alert system 20 includes an acoustic or noise producing member 30 and an acoustic focusing member 34 .
- Noise producing member 30 takes the form of a speaker 38 having a housing 40 provided with an electrical input member or terminal 42 .
- Housing 40 includes a first end section 43 that extends to a second end section 44 through a generally annular sidewall 46 . Second end section 44 is provided with a cover 49 that limits acoustic output.
- Noise producing member 30 includes a primary acoustic output surface 54 and a secondary acoustic output surface 56 .
- Primary acoustic output surface 54 is defined at first end section 42 and secondary acoustic output surface 56 is defined at annular sidewall 46 .
- Primary acoustic output surface 54 guides an acoustic output along a first axis 59 that extends through acoustic output zone 15 and secondary acoustic output surface 56 passes an acoustic output along a second axis 62 .
- Sound passing from primary acoustic output surface 54 provides an audible warning to pedestrians at or near motor vehicle 2 .
- Sound passing from secondary acoustic output surface 56 is lost within motor vehicle 2 and thus does not contribute to any pedestrian alert.
- sound passing from secondary acoustic output surface 56 may degrade an acoustic quality of sound passing from primary acoustic output surface 54 thereby reducing the audible warning provided by noise producing member 30 .
- Acoustic focusing member 34 extends about noise producing member 30 to focus and guide sound passing from secondary acoustic output surface 56 generally back along the first axis 59 to contribute to the pedestrian alert provided by pedestrian alert system 20 and reduce unwanted noise in a passenger compartment (not shown) of motor vehicle 2 .
- acoustic focusing member 34 includes a body 80 having a first end 84 that extends to a second end 86 through a sound reflecting sidewall 89 .
- Sound reflecting sidewall 89 includes sound reflecting qualities that are configured to reflect and/or focus sounds passing from noise producing member 30 , and a cut-out 90 that accommodates terminal 42 and defines a central focusing duct 91 that surrounds secondary acoustic output surface 56 .
- the sound reflecting qualities may result from a particular material used to form sound reflecting side sidewall 89 and/or a particular geometry of sound reflecting side wall 89 .
- Central focusing duct 91 guides acoustic output passing from secondary acoustic output surface 56 toward acoustic output zone 15 and away from the passenger compartment.
- Acoustic focusing member 34 may be formed from any suitable material that is capable of focusing the acoustic output of pedestrian alert system 20 .
- acoustic focusing member 34 is formed from aluminum.
- First end 84 is shown to include a mounting flange 94 that provides an interface between acoustic focusing member 34 and aero panel 10 .
- acoustic focusing member 34 may also be materially integrally formed with aero panel 10 .
- acoustic focusing member 34 may be formed from the same material as aero panel 10 such as plastic, metal, and/or composites.
- acoustic focusing member 34 when materially integrally formed with aero panel 10 may also be formed from a different material.
- the exemplary embodiments provide a system for directing sound passing from secondary surface of a speaker towards a primary acoustic output.
- sound that may otherwise have been lost to interior areas of a motor vehicle may be employed to enhance an acoustic alert provided to pedestrians at or near the motor vehicle.
- the pedestrian alert system may be mounted in various locations of the motor vehicle.
Abstract
Description
Claims (18)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/793,192 US9126524B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-03-11 | Pedestrian alert system for a motor vehicle |
DE102014102417.6A DE102014102417B4 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2014-02-25 | Pedestrian warning system for a motor vehicle |
CN201420108033.3U CN203876654U (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2014-03-11 | A pedestrian warning system for a motor vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/793,192 US9126524B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-03-11 | Pedestrian alert system for a motor vehicle |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140254815A1 US20140254815A1 (en) | 2014-09-11 |
US9126524B2 true US9126524B2 (en) | 2015-09-08 |
Family
ID=51385685
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/793,192 Expired - Fee Related US9126524B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-03-11 | Pedestrian alert system for a motor vehicle |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US9126524B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN203876654U (en) |
DE (1) | DE102014102417B4 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150339925A1 (en) * | 2012-06-26 | 2015-11-26 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Communication device and communication method for a vehicle |
US20160332565A1 (en) * | 2015-05-12 | 2016-11-17 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle sound generator |
US9994148B1 (en) * | 2016-12-14 | 2018-06-12 | Mando Hella Electronics Corporation | Pedestrian warning device of vehicle |
US10889251B2 (en) | 2019-01-15 | 2021-01-12 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Bracket assemblies for detachably connecting audible vehicle alert systems |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP6535526B2 (en) * | 2015-07-01 | 2019-06-26 | 株式会社Subaru | Alarm sounding device for vehicle |
EP3536555B1 (en) | 2018-03-05 | 2022-07-27 | Volvo Car Corporation | Vehicle front structure comprising a horn |
FR3088599B1 (en) * | 2018-11-15 | 2020-10-30 | Psa Automobiles Sa | SUPPORT FOR MOUNTING AN AUDIBLE ALARM DEVICE OF AN AVAS ON THE BODY OF A SILENT MOTOR VEHICLE |
DE102020103053B4 (en) | 2020-02-06 | 2022-02-17 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle with at least one sound generator |
KR20220052022A (en) * | 2020-10-20 | 2022-04-27 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Vehicle and method for controlling thereof |
DE102022124114B3 (en) | 2022-09-20 | 2024-02-15 | Audi Aktiengesellschaft | Acoustic warning device for a motor vehicle and method for emitting an acoustic warning signal to the surroundings of a motor vehicle |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3835256A (en) * | 1973-07-09 | 1974-09-10 | H Wieder | Loudspeaker enclosure |
US20100060439A1 (en) * | 2008-09-05 | 2010-03-11 | Brian Robert Fitzgerald | Directional warning systems |
US20100245069A1 (en) * | 2009-03-26 | 2010-09-30 | Yamaha Corporation | Automobile equipped with speaker unit |
US20110026729A1 (en) * | 2009-07-30 | 2011-02-03 | Denso Corporation | Vehicle existence informing device and method for informing existence of a vehicle |
US20110164774A1 (en) * | 2010-01-01 | 2011-07-07 | Gladwin Timothy A | Low-Profile Loudspeaker Driver and Enclosure Assembly |
US20110199199A1 (en) * | 2010-02-15 | 2011-08-18 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Pedestrian Alert System And Method |
US8179234B1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2012-05-15 | Atwood Bell, LLC | Sound generation apparatus and method for an electric vehicle |
US20120182138A1 (en) * | 2011-01-18 | 2012-07-19 | Hamanakodenso Co., Ltd. | Vehicle presence notification apparatus |
US20130201704A1 (en) * | 2012-02-03 | 2013-08-08 | Jerry Lin | Vehicle headlight and alert system |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4567959A (en) | 1985-04-10 | 1986-02-04 | Prophit David A | Speaker adapted to corner-loaded installation |
DE102011119463A1 (en) | 2011-11-25 | 2012-05-10 | Daimler Ag | Method for producing noise in electric drive driven motor car e.g. sports car, as warning for pedestrians, involves actuating speaker by control device with drive signal for producing noise corresponding to position of gas pedal |
DE102012107814A1 (en) | 2012-08-24 | 2014-05-15 | Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft | Method and device for generating noise in the interior and exterior of a motor vehicle |
-
2013
- 2013-03-11 US US13/793,192 patent/US9126524B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2014
- 2014-02-25 DE DE102014102417.6A patent/DE102014102417B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2014-03-11 CN CN201420108033.3U patent/CN203876654U/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3835256A (en) * | 1973-07-09 | 1974-09-10 | H Wieder | Loudspeaker enclosure |
US20100060439A1 (en) * | 2008-09-05 | 2010-03-11 | Brian Robert Fitzgerald | Directional warning systems |
US8179234B1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2012-05-15 | Atwood Bell, LLC | Sound generation apparatus and method for an electric vehicle |
US20100245069A1 (en) * | 2009-03-26 | 2010-09-30 | Yamaha Corporation | Automobile equipped with speaker unit |
US20110026729A1 (en) * | 2009-07-30 | 2011-02-03 | Denso Corporation | Vehicle existence informing device and method for informing existence of a vehicle |
US20110164774A1 (en) * | 2010-01-01 | 2011-07-07 | Gladwin Timothy A | Low-Profile Loudspeaker Driver and Enclosure Assembly |
US20110199199A1 (en) * | 2010-02-15 | 2011-08-18 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Pedestrian Alert System And Method |
US20120182138A1 (en) * | 2011-01-18 | 2012-07-19 | Hamanakodenso Co., Ltd. | Vehicle presence notification apparatus |
US20130201704A1 (en) * | 2012-02-03 | 2013-08-08 | Jerry Lin | Vehicle headlight and alert system |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150339925A1 (en) * | 2012-06-26 | 2015-11-26 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Communication device and communication method for a vehicle |
US9640076B2 (en) * | 2012-06-26 | 2017-05-02 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Communication device and communication method for a vehicle |
US20160332565A1 (en) * | 2015-05-12 | 2016-11-17 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle sound generator |
US9994148B1 (en) * | 2016-12-14 | 2018-06-12 | Mando Hella Electronics Corporation | Pedestrian warning device of vehicle |
US10889251B2 (en) | 2019-01-15 | 2021-01-12 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Bracket assemblies for detachably connecting audible vehicle alert systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN203876654U (en) | 2014-10-15 |
DE102014102417A1 (en) | 2014-09-11 |
DE102014102417B4 (en) | 2022-01-13 |
US20140254815A1 (en) | 2014-09-11 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FULTON, CHRISTOPHER L.;SCHUTT, TIMOTHY C.;REEL/FRAME:029962/0832 Effective date: 20130306 |
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Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, DELAWARE Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC;REEL/FRAME:033135/0336 Effective date: 20101027 |
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